McIlroy Holds Tied Top Spot While Closes In On Dubai Title
Rory McIlroy secured five under-par scores in his third round
DP World Tour Championship Saturday Leaderboard
-13 R McIlroy (NI), R Neergaard-Petersen (Denmark); -12 A Ayora (Spain), L Canter (England), M Fitzpatrick (England), T Fleetwood (Eng), T Hatton (England), R Hojgaard (Den)
Notable scores: -11 L Aberg (Swe), N Hojgaard (Den), J Rose (Eng); -10 S Lowry (Ireland), R MacIntyre (Scotland); -8 J Parry (Eng); -4 M Penge (Eng)
Rory McIlroy sank three under-par scores in the final five holes to claim a share of the lead at the tournament finale and close in on a seventh year-end tour championship crown.
The Northern Irishman shot a four-under-par 68 in Dubai, in a performance including five birdies and a bogey to move to 13-under-par, along with Denmark's Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen.
England's Laurie Canter (68), Fitzpatrick (66), Tommy Fleetwood (68) along with Tyrrell Hatton (67) are on 12 under, along with Spanish player Angel Ayora (67) and Denmark's Rasmus Hojgaard (65).
"All in all, a bit of a battling day," said McIlroy. "The conditions proved difficult but happy to shoot my score."
McIlroy holds a substantial lead at the top of the season-long rankings as he pursues his fourth straight tour championship crown.
Hatton and compatriot Marco Penge are the sole players who can stop the Northern Irishman from winning the season-long title.
The English golfer needs to win this event and have McIlroy to finish outside the top eight to secure the title.
"My position is stronger compared to him [Hatton]," stated the tournament leader. "My focus is on my game. If I go out and play the golf that I know I can achieve, particularly on this golf course, I know that I'll be OK.
"It would be a fantastic manner to end the season."
Penge carded a better 68 on Saturday following rounds of 74 and 70, but looks out of contention at four-under-par.
